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Mi Familia Vota Announces Bilingual Latino-led Digital Voter Campaign

By Karina Martínez of Mi Familia Vota | Originally released on September 7, 2018

Mi Familia Vota Executive Director Ben Monterroso launches the #USAtuPoder campaign at the National Press Club on September 11 to increase voter participation in 2018. Source: Mi Familia Vota.

Uniting a diversity of community trailblazers, the USA Tu Poder campaign aims to embolden Latinos to use their voting power

WASHINGTON, DC — Mi Familia Vota has partnered with Latino leaders from diverse backgrounds to launch USA Tu Poder, a bilingual campaign designed to galvanize Latinos to own their Americanness and to partake in the electoral process to steer the direction of this country. Renowned broadcast journalist, Maria Elena Salinas, is the campaign spokesperson, with actress and activist, Diane Guerrero, leading the “Show Up” segment of this campaign that focuses on millennials.

The USA Tu Poder press conference will be held on Tuesday, September 11th, from 10am to 11am at the National Press Club in Washington, DC.

“A new opportunity for Latinos to make their impact on our country is approaching: the midterm elections on November 6th will offer the chance to vote for leadership and laws that directly impact our communities and our nation. We are undertaking this unique non-partisan Latino driven and Latino focused initiative because want our community to see themselves reflected in election campaigns and to understand that their voices and their votes matter,” stated executive director of Mi Familia Vota, Ben Monterroso.

Latino leaders will gather at the matinee press conference to discuss the state of the Latino vote and the impact that USA Tu Poder can have on the Latino vote as well as the community spirit. Speakers will include political strategist and president of MAS Consulting group, César Martínez; Matt Barreto, co-founder of the national polling and research firm, Latino Decisions; Ximena Hartsock, cofounder of Phone2Action; Univision and Entravision Representatives; and USA Tu Poder figurehead, Maria Elena Salinas. USA Tu Poder campaign PSAs will be debuted and an overview of digital elements from the Show Up segment will also be presented.

Maria Elena Salinas elucidated, “We are uniting the various skills and perspectives that our community holds to collectively draw Latino constituents into the electoral process. This campaign is inclusive of all Latinos and we want our country to operate in the same way because we are Americans too. We are very proud to be Latino, and that should be an impulse to participate in elections because we need to be represented.”

Diane Guerrero added, “Millennials are poised to shake up elections, if they show up to vote. Latino millennials, especially, have the opportunity to make their mark; they account for 44% of Latino eligible voters. Showing up at elections is the only way that we’ll be represented in the way that we deserve, and it’s the best way to make decisions on so many issues affecting our country today.”

Voter outreach will be targeted at Latinos through the tech and social media platforms that they most use. Ximena Hartsock, cofounder of Phone2Action, explains the role of technology for Latinos in the upcoming elections, “As Latina tech entrepreneur I am incredibly proud that my company, Phone2Action, has the opportunity to play a role in this key effort to increase civic participation in this election. Latinos are the fastest adopters of smartphones and by making information about elections accessible on mobile we are making it much easier for Latinos to exercise our right to vote. Voting is power and our community will show that power at the polls this November.

In addition to the digital voter messaging, USA Tu Poder leaders, including Maria Elena Salinas, will be present during GOTV field activities across the country, activities which include door knocking, community voter registration events, as well as hosting town halls to boost community engagement.

Monterroso reflected, “The willingness of Latino leaders to serve our community demonstrates the spirit of unity that we’ve developed in the face of so many attacks against the Latino community. This campaign is about unity, inclusion, and proper representation. We are especially proud that two distinguished Latinas with a passion for our community will be the face of our GOTV efforts. They are speaking from the heart when they ask each individual to show up or when they urge, USA tu poder.”

Mi Familia Vota is a national civic engagement organization that unites Latino, immigrant, and allied communities to promote social and economic justice through citizenship workshops, voter registration, and voter participation. Mi Familia Vota has operations in Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, and Texas. This release was published by Mi Familia Vota on September 7, 2018.